Kaniyalal SHAH has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Abstract: An interface device configured to provide an electrostatic friction (ESF) effect is disclosed. The interface device comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed at a surface of the interface device. It further comprises a signal generating circuit configured to generate a first drive signal at an output of the signal generating circuit, and comprises a plurality of frequency filter units or delay elements electrically connected to the signal generating circuit and to the plurality of electrodes. The interface device further comprises a control unit configured to use the plurality of frequency filter units or delay elements: (i) to cause only a subset of one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to output one or more respective ESF effects with the first drive signal, or (ii) to cause at least two electrodes to output respective ESF effects with the first drive signal in different respective manners.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium for generating a haptic effect is provided. The computer-readable-medium has computer-executable code that causes a processor to receive a desired haptic effect waveform for the haptic effect, to receive sensor information that indicates at least one of speed, acceleration, and position of the haptic output device, and to generate a control signal for the haptic effect based on the desired haptic effect waveform and the at least one of the speed, acceleration, and position of the haptic output device, wherein the control signal causes a profile of the haptic effect to substantially match the desired haptic effect waveform, such that matching between the profile of the haptic effect and the desired haptic effect waveform is made more similar by basing the control signal on the at least one of the speed, acceleration, and position of the haptic output device.

Abstract: An actuator evaluation system evaluates one or more characteristics of an actuator usable as a haptic output device. The system can detect an optimal braking frequency of a drive signal that enables the actuator to provide a desired haptic effect in response thereto. The system sequentially applies a plurality of drive signals having different frequencies to the actuator and analyzes acceleration of the actuator to determine a drive signal that results in the desired braking performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods or a low profile haptic actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for a low profile haptic actuator includes: a moveable surface comprising a first coil, the moveable surface configured to move in a degree of freedom; a fixed surface beneath the moveable surface, the fixed surface comprising a second coil coupled underneath the first coil; a suspension coupled to the fixed surface and the moveable surface and configured to suspend the moveable surface; and a controller coupled to the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a haptic output device include a processor, a haptic peripheral including a haptic output device, and a sensor coupled to the haptic output device. The haptic output device is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect having a profile to the haptic peripheral in response to the control signal from the processor. The sensor is configured to sense a current operational status of the haptic output device. The processor is configured to generate the control signal for the haptic output device depending on a plurality of inputs including a desired haptic effect waveform and a signal received from the sensor. The inputs may also include at least one parameter of the haptic output device. As such, the control signal causes the profile of the haptic effect to substantially match the desired haptic effect waveform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring insulation integrity for electrostatic friction are disclosed. One system may include a touch sensitive interface configured to detect user interaction; an electrostatic haptic output device configured to output one or more electrostatic haptic effects to the touch sensitive interface; a processor in communication with the touch sensitive interface and the electrostatic haptic output device, the processor configured to: determine an operating condition associated with the electrostatic haptic output device; determine a corrective action associated with the operating condition; and apply the corrective action.

Abstract: In each of the various embodiments, a haptic driver is configured to attenuate a drive signal of an actuator. In particular, the haptic drivers described herein are configured to identify the resonance frequency of the actuator and to attenuate the haptic drive signal within a range of frequencies, the range being based on the identified resonance frequency. As a result, the strength of haptic effects produced by the actuator may be more uniform along a wider frequency range.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward an architecture and communication protocol for controlling haptic output devices. According to the embodiments, a composite drive signal is generated that includes a first drive signal to be rendered by a first haptic output device, a second drive signal to be rendered by a second haptic output device, and a packet identifier. A controller includes the first haptic output device that is associated with a first user input element and the second haptic output device associated with a second user input element. The composite drive signal is transmitted to controller, and the execution order of the first and second drive signals is determined based on the packet identifier.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for modifying a haptic effect that is rendered based on a media stream. Upon receiving the media stream, a haptic drive signal is generated based on the media stream. The haptic drive signal is then applied to render the haptic effect at a haptic output device. Within a media editing application, the media stream may be modified. In response to the modification, a modified haptic drive signal may be generated based on the modification to the media stream. As a result, a modified haptic effect is rendered at the haptic output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering a haptic effect at a user input element associated with a haptic output device are provided. A primary range and a secondary range of positions are defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device. In addition, a boundary range of positions is defined for the user input element associated with the haptic output device, the boundary range partially overlapping each of the primary and secondary ranges. A position of the user input element is monitored, and the haptic effect rendered in response to an entry of the user input element to positions within the boundary range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a haptic output device include a processor, a haptic peripheral including a haptic output device, and a sensor coupled to the haptic output device. The haptic output device is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect having a profile to the haptic peripheral in response to the control signal from the processor. The sensor is configured to sense a current operational status of the haptic output device. The processor is configured to generate the control signal for the haptic output device depending on a plurality of inputs including a desired haptic effect waveform and a signal received from the sensor. The inputs may also include at least one parameter of the haptic output device. As such, the control signal causes the profile of the haptic effect to substantially match the desired haptic effect waveform.

Abstract: A haptically-enabled system includes an actuator that has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a voltage source, and a first switch is coupled to the first terminal and to ground. A second switch is coupled to the actuator. The second switch is parallel to the actuator.

Abstract: A haptically-enabled system includes an actuator that has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a voltage source, and a first switch is coupled to the first terminal and to ground. A second switch is coupled to the actuator. The second switch is parallel to the actuator.

Abstract: A haptic drive circuit includes a voltage input for receiving input power, a gate that compares a desired current level to an actual current level through the actuator, a switch coupled to the gate that interrupts or provides power from the voltage input to the actuator, and a current probe that detects the actual current level through the actuator with an output signal corresponding to the actual current level coupled to the gate. The gate compares the actual current level to the desired current level and causes the switch to interrupt input power when the actual current level is greater than the desired current level or to provide input power when the actual current level is less than or equal to the desired current level. The actual current through the circuit is a haptic signal causing a haptic actuator to generate a haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic drive circuit includes a voltage input for receiving input power, a gate that compares a desired current level to an actual current level through the actuator, a switch coupled to the gate that interrupts or provides power from the voltage input to the actuator, and a current probe that detects the actual current level through the actuator with an output signal corresponding to the actual current level coupled to the gate. The gate compares the actual current level to the desired current level and causes the switch to interrupt input power when the actual current level is greater than the desired current level or to provide input power when the actual current level is less than or equal to the desired current level. The actual current through the circuit is a haptic signal causing a haptic actuator to generate a haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptically-enabled system includes an actuator that has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a voltage source, and a first switch is coupled to the first terminal and to ground. A second switch is coupled to the actuator. The second switch is parallel to the actuator.